Honey is one of those naturally occurring gifts of nature that comes with more advantages than we can name. Honey can be used for a variety of things.
In fact, the usage of honey dates back to at least 8,000 years. It is known for its flavoring, medicinal, nourishing, moisturizing, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. From putting it on our morning toast to using it when we suffer a minor burn, honey always comes in handy.
One of the other uses of honey that is gaining traction is the use of this substance for improving fitness. Those who use honey for weight loss swear by this magical ingredient in giving them the results they want.
How Honey Helps in Weight Loss?
Honey does contain sugar. However, when compared with refined sugar, honey contains beneficial vitamins and minerals as well.
Refined sugar, on the contrary, is considered as “empty calories”, which means that there is no benefit in eating it. Therefore, when you eat too much sugar, you tend to gain weight not only because of the calories but due to the lack of vitamins and minerals.
Honey, on the other hand, balances this effect as it is a good source of nutrients that help people in their weight loss efforts if consumed in limit.
A study has shown that athletes who ate foods rich in fructose, such as honey, burnt a lot more fat and had increased stamina levels as well. Honey acts as a fuel to make the liver produce glucose. This glucose keeps the brain sugar levels high and forces it to release fat burning hormones.
Most of us struggle to lose weight because we consume too much sugar and processed food. When we consume honey, the body begins to burn more fat. When you go a step further by replacing sugar with honey , you re-balance the brain signal that compels you to consume more sweet stuff.
How to Use Honey for Weight Loss?
Many people add a teaspoon of sugar in their daily cups of tea or coffee without realizing how it can impact their health in the long run. Using honey for fast weight loss is one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy, fit and active.
Honey can also be used as a substitute in desserts, or as an alternative to different syrups and sweeteners. One of the best ways to consume honey for weight loss is by having a teaspoon of honey before bedtime. Doing so will help the body burn more fat during the early hours of your sleep.
Honey is also known to have the power of suppressing the appetite. Most people tend to overeat throughout the day, and this is one of the major reasons for weight gain.
While one must not starve themselves, being cautious about the portion size of food is important. An advantage of using honey for weight loss is that it helps to curb small hunger pangs throughout the day. This will, in turn, help you in avoiding unnecessary snacking by keeping you satiated.
Nutrition Facts of Honey
The USDA provides the following information for 1 tablespoon (21 grams) of honey.
- Calories: 64
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 0.1g
Honey is a natural sweetening agent, which makes it an excellent substitute for calorie-dense sugar. Speaking nutritionally, one tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar, including fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose, but no fiber, fat or protein.
One of the main benefits of substituting sugar with honey is that the latter has a lower GI value, meaning that it does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly as sugar does. Honey is also sweeter than sugar, meaning that even a little amount goes a long way in satisfying sweet cravings.
Honey is rich in antioxidants, including organic compounds and phenolic compounds like flavonoids. Being rich in antioxidants, the nutritional value of honey can help prevent heart ailments, as well as improve eye health. Studies have also shown that using honey for weight loss can help in maintaining blood pressure levels and manage cholesterol.
3 Ways to Use Honey for Weight Loss
1. Cinnamon and Honey for Weight Loss
As you know, cinnamon is a spice that has been used for several years for its nutritional and health benefits. The spice is derived from the cinnamon bark and can be used in numerous dishes and drinks.
One of the best ways to manage your fitness is by using cinnamon and honey for weight loss. In your daily cup of green tea, add a teaspoon of honey, with half a teaspoon of cinnamon.
The metabolizing properties of these two ingredients will help you gain energy throughout the day. This mixture will also help you maintain your appetite and avoid binge eating.
2. Lemon and Honey for Weight loss
An excellent way of using honey for weight loss is by consuming half a teaspoon of it with a glass of warm water and the juice of half a lemon.
Drinking this mixture first thing in the morning will help you detox the body and energize the organs. You will also feel less bloated and more active throughout the day.
To see enhanced effects of this combination, you can also add these ingredients to your water bottle and sip on this mixture throughout the day. This mixture will also serve as a delicious and refreshing way to drink water and enhance the body’s metabolism.
3. Garlic and Honey for Weight Loss
The combination of garlic and honey for weight loss is an excellent way to keep your body healthy and fit.
Consuming raw garlic with a teaspoonful of honey first thing in the morning will help in detoxification and improve digestion. This combination is also beneficial for boosting immunity and helps reduce stress, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Summary
With all these incredible benefits, incorporating this sweet and nutritious substance into your daily diet can work wonders for your overall health in the long run.
